Citizens Urged to Prioritise Health to Reduce Risk of Cancer

Health officials are encouraging citizens to embrace healthier eating habits, exercise regularly and seek frequent medical checkups as part of efforts to reduce cancer diagnoses. This call was made by Dr Owen Gabriel, who was a panellist on the Cancer Talks Discussion Panel on Friday.

The 2020 data from the National Epidemiology Unit within the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs indicates that cancers are the leading cause of death among women and men. In men, cancers of the prostate and in women cancers of the breast, cervix, endometrium and ovary were the leading causes. In addition, cancers of the colon, lung, and stomach continue to affect the Saint Lucian population. The data also shows that between 2018 to 2020, approximately 1500 females and 2170 males were diagnosed with various types of cancers in Saint Lucia.

Dr Gabriel urges citizens to take personal responsibility for their health conditions as a means of reducing risk factors for cancer. “Number one, quit tobacco use, as it is one of the leading causes of cancer. If you smoke, seek help to quit and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke. Currently in Saint Lucia, through the Ministry of Health, there are a number of avenues to seek support in quitting smoking. Secondly, eat right: whole grains, lean proteins. Make a conscious effort to minimize the use of processed foods, red meats, and sugary beverages. A healthy, well-balanced diet will help you maintain a healthy weight and control other risk factors. Number three, get regular checkups. Early detection is key to effectively combating cancer,” he explained.

The 2020 Behavioural Risk factor survey results for a representative sample of Saint Lucians, aged 18-69 years, highlight the presence of these preventable risk factors within our population. The percentage of respondents who were current tobacco smokers was 8.5%, those who engaged in heavy drinking was 19.1%, current alcohol drinkers, 61.9%, consumption of less than 5 servings of fruits and/or vegetables a day, 83.2% and those overweight or obese, 65%. The percentage of women who had never had a breast exam was 19.3%.

The Ministry of Health has implemented various initiatives to heighten cancer awareness in the country, like: the Saint Lucia Moves Initiative and the Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management programme in an effort to increase the awareness and adoption of healthier habits in the population on a national level.